Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $28,390 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 82.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $105,150 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,670 | $25,600 | +$15,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,860 | $29,140 | +$19,720 |
| Median (50th) | $62,970 | $34,580 | +$28,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,900 | $37,850 | +$44,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,150 | $47,930 | +$57,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,940 | $37,150 | +$32,790 |
Employment Numbers
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters or Retail Salespersons?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,390 (82.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has a median salary of $62,970 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS